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Old May 21, 2016, 03:55 PM   #1
Bilbro Swaggins
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300 Blackout or 9mm Subgun - Suppressed SBR

I am interested in putting together a suppressed SBR. It will be primarily for fun/recreationall shooting but self defense is also a (slight) consideration.

I am between building a 300 blackout AR15 or getting a 9mm subgun. In either case, I want to SBR it a day likely suppress it.

As I see it:

300 Blackout
- More versatile (longer range, could hunt with, etc)
- Supersonic ammo reasonably priced
- Subsonic ammo is very expensive (I don't reload)
- New caliber to me (no ammo on hand)

9mm
- Ammo is cheaper
- Suppressor is cheaper
- Already own other 9mm guns
- Less versatile

Other considerations:
- I was set on the 300 blackout, but recently acquired a SCAR 17 and already have 2 5.56 ARS, so it may not give me anything the others don't already provide

Any thoughts I can get would be greatly appreciated!
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Old May 21, 2016, 09:03 PM   #2
raimius
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I found new factory 220gn blackout for about 74 cents per round. IMO, that's not terrible. (Reloading would lower the cost substantially.)

I like the blackout, as it can function like a suppressed singing to 100m easily, but with an ammo swap will give 250-300 performance very easily.
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Old May 21, 2016, 09:49 PM   #3
johnwilliamson062
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If you want to use it as your goto HD weapon, which isn't a bad idea:
Will you have a "companion" pistol in 9mm using the same mags?
If not, 300 BO all the way IMO.
If yes, then it is a complicated toss up. I hope to have both by the end of 2018. I'll decide which I like and sell the other by the end of 2019.

If you want to be a serious shooter, and you don't have a six figure+ income, you either need to reload or shoot a lot of 22lr and pellets(assuming you aren't single with no kids living in a trailer not saving anything for retirement, AKA "living the dream").
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Old May 21, 2016, 09:56 PM   #4
Mobuck
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A "9mm subgun" in not something I see as practical in any way.
The 300AAC has practical and utilitarian applications and capabilities in either sub or super sonic(even from an SBR).
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Old May 22, 2016, 04:01 AM   #5
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My Colt 9mm is a lot of fun to shoot at steel, cans, etc. however I. Cannot see it in use as a hunting rifle, possible for home defense (particularly if SBR) but cannot think of many other uses for it. My 300 Blackout AR (I have four) carbines and one pistol would be much more versitle both suppressed and supersonic. Best results and cost in ammo will come from hand loads but I find the cartridge easy to load and super fun to shoot (pick up your brass). I have fired both suppressed and not finding the cartridge very accurate if I do my part.
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Old May 22, 2016, 09:12 AM   #6
Bilbro Swaggins
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Thank you all for the responses. I am surprised (and glad) that almost everyone is in the 300 blackout camp.

I suppose it is also worth noting that the Silencerco Omega that I plan to buy will work great on my other ARs and SCAR 17, which is a nice bonus.

Does the 300 Blackout do anything for me that the 5.56 and 308 won't do for me? I guess the 3rd option is "Buy Nothing" (which I think we can all agree is a boring option)

Last edited by Bilbro Swaggins; May 22, 2016 at 09:35 AM.
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Old May 22, 2016, 10:32 AM   #7
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The only advantages of the 9mm are:

-Ammo is cheaper and more widely available
-You can shoot it at indoor ranges that limit rifle calibers
-The overall package might be slightly shorter

That's pretty much it, otherwise the 300 Blackout wins hands down performance-wise.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbro Swaggins
Does the 300 Blackout do anything for me that the 5.56 and 308 won't do for me?
The 300 Blackout will cycle the action with both subsonic and supersonic ammo, and it will do it with zero modifications. The 300 Blackout gives you a rifle the size of a 5.56 that uses all the same parts but the barrel, and it will also be more efficient with shorter barrels than a 5.56 will.
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Old May 22, 2016, 03:32 PM   #8
zeke
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The 300 is more versatile, still chose the 9mm sbr. Am getting older, and a lot less accurate with a pistol. The 9mm sbr will do for the range and home, while being a lot cheaper to feed. Have 223 and 308 for anything needing a rifle, didn't need yet another caliber to reload for.

Waiting on the stamps to sbr/suppress it.
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Old May 22, 2016, 04:13 PM   #9
5.56RifleGuy
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9mm sbrs are really fun to shoot. Don't miss that pro.

Realistically its going to be a toy, right?

Get what you want. You dont have to try and justify it to anyone.

I have a bunch of 9mm bullpups and SBRs. They are tons of fun.
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Old May 22, 2016, 07:26 PM   #10
Mobuck
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"Does the 300 Blackout do anything for me that the 5.56 and 308 won't do for me?"

Unquestionably--if you're interested in suppressors. Otherwise, it offers a 110-125 supersonic 30 cal bullet at a reasonable velocity for SD/HD scenarios under 100-150 yards w/o the recoil of the .308.
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Old May 22, 2016, 09:22 PM   #11
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I sold my 9mm carbine, no real practical use 300 is a much better defensive weapon, heck it's not a bad offensive one. If I want cheap plinking I have dozens of 22s.
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Old May 22, 2016, 10:16 PM   #12
raimius
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5.56 loses a lot of velocity from sub 11in barrels, whereas .300blk does well out of 8in barrels.
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Old May 22, 2016, 10:29 PM   #13
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I like 9mm subguns, but i LOVE my 9" 300blk SBR
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Old May 23, 2016, 09:34 AM   #14
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While my personal situation may be a bit unique, I'd go with the 9mm. Consolidating calibers is big for me and it's one of the reasons I see 9mm carbines as so valuable. Maybe I'm just cheap, but it would be hard for me to justify adding another more expensive less common rifle caliber to the stable.
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Old May 23, 2016, 01:39 PM   #15
Fishbed77
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Quote:
It will be primarily for fun/recreationall shooting but self defense is also a (slight) consideration.
For fun and recreation, 9mm all day long.

For self-defense, 5.56x45mm.
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Old May 23, 2016, 02:38 PM   #16
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9mm, .300BO, or 5.56?
My vote is for all the above.
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Old May 23, 2016, 03:30 PM   #17
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Has anyone done any testing for over penetration of the 300? Subsonic would be a heavier bullet going about the same speed as a lighter 9mm, which we already know to penetrate walls pretty easily.

Is over penetration not a big deal?
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Old May 23, 2016, 06:53 PM   #18
444
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For me, it's the 9mm.
The reasons have already been mentioned.

It's far cheaper to load.
I already load tons of 9mm for my pistols.
I have no "practical" use for it and for me, I don't need one. I have fun with it. At the local club I belong to, they have all kinds of steel targets, plate racks........ that I can shoot with a 9mm that I am not allowed to shoot with full rifle calibers.

Like you, I already own rifles for any "practical" use I might encounter and for longer range shooting and I don't really need another one.

All that being said, I will probably buy a .300 Blackout at some point; I have 500 cases and the dies. Screwing together an upper takes about a half hour. This won't in any way be "practical" again, it will be a another toy.

As you probably know, you register the lower as an SBR. Eventually you can get both and put together 5.56 short uppers.
Yeah, I know this is going to trigger the locker room lawyers talking about constructive intent........................There are ways around that. But, yes, if the federales had a reason to investigate you, this is a possible risk.
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Old May 23, 2016, 07:00 PM   #19
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Quote:
Yeah, I know this is going to trigger the locker room lawyers talking about constructive intent
There is NO PROBLEM having mtpl uppers for your registered SBR lower. Swap em all day long. People run into constructive possession problems when they have a short barreled upper and no LEGAL way to use it. If you have a stamped SBR you can have as many uppers as you want for that lower.
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Old May 23, 2016, 07:55 PM   #20
TMD
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^^^*This^^^*
Already have two SBR lowers and am considering a third only because I can. Now I just need some more uppers
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Old May 23, 2016, 10:29 PM   #21
Bilbro Swaggins
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A lot of great feedback, I appreciate it!

I'm thinking 300 blackout will be my best bet for now. I like the versatility as I may not keep the SCAR 17 in my stable.

Plus, it sounds like I can get multiple uppers for my SBR which I didn't realize. That offers me an out in case I decide 300 blk isn't for me down the road.

Even more convenient, I already own a 9" BCM in pistol form. A few changes and it can easily be converted.
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Old May 23, 2016, 10:56 PM   #22
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Then just Form 1 the BCM pistol you have. Shoot and enjoy it as a pistol until the stamp comes back. All you gotta do at that point is get it engraved, slap a stock on and go..
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Old May 24, 2016, 07:06 PM   #23
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I went with 9mm, and I'll use a .45 suppressor that will also work on a few different pistols.
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Old May 27, 2016, 11:39 AM   #24
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BOTH!!
Seriously though, buy a $30 lee press, $40 lee dies and start reloading subs for 300. You will save a heap of money in the long run!
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Old May 27, 2016, 01:52 PM   #25
Overkill777
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If it's for any serious purpose like hunting or home defense, 300 blackout hands down. Having the ability to shoot supersonic rifle is significant over any 9mm load.

If it's just a range toy the 9mm will serve that purpose well due to cheaper ammo cost.
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